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2009 European Car of the Year finalists revealed

2009 European Car of the Year finalists revealed

Ralph Hanson October 1st, 2008 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author October 1st, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Europe’s annual Car of the Year awards are on again and the finalists have been revealed. Whittled down to just seven front-runners from a field of 38 candidates, the competition is expected to be exceptionally close - there is no run-away favorite. Last year’s winner - the Fiat 500 minicar - was something of a shoo-in, picked for its high safety levels and popular exterior styling. The seven finalists this year, on the other hand, are equally - if differently - capable of winning the overall title. Already a number of very strong cars have been eliminated, including BMW's 7-series, the Jaguar XF, the Volkswagen Scirocco and the Mercedes-Benz GLK. The handful of cars left will battle it out for the judges' approval. The European Car of the Year awards are judged by a panel of 59 members, representing 23 European countries. National representation on the panel is related to the size of the country's car market and its importance in car manufacturing, with France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain topping the list with six members each. To be eligible, the cars must be available for sale in at least five European countries within the 12 month period prior to the winner’s announcement on November 17 at the Paris Motor Show. The seven finalists are: - Alfa Romeo Mito - Citroen C5 - Ford Fiesta - Opel/Vauxhall Insignia - Renault Megane - Skoda Superb - VW Mark VI Golf 2009 Renault Megane hatch VW Golf Mark VI official photos Ford Fiesta 5-dr GM Insignia official interior reveal Alfa Romeo Mi.To official images Citroen’s new C5 sedan and estate Skoda Superb
The Insignia has already proved a hit with the European press, and no one can deny its dashing looks

The Insignia has already proved a hit with the European press, and no one can deny its dashing looks

Enlarge Photo

Europe’s annual Car of the Year awards are on again and the finalists have been revealed. Whittled down to just seven front-runners from a field of 38 candidates, the competition is expected to be exceptionally close - there is no run-away favorite. Last year’s winner - the Fiat 500 minicar - was something of a shoo-in, picked for its high safety levels and popular exterior styling.

The seven finalists this year, on the other hand, are equally - if differently - capable of winning the overall title. Already a number of very strong cars have been eliminated, including BMW's 7-series, the Jaguar XF, the Volkswagen Scirocco and the Mercedes-Benz GLK. The handful of cars left will battle it out for the judges' approval.

The European Car of the Year awards are judged by a panel of 59 members, representing 23 European countries. National representation on the panel is related to the size of the country's car market and its importance in car manufacturing, with France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain topping the list with six members each.

To be eligible, the cars must be available for sale in at least five European countries within the 12 month period prior to the winner’s announcement on November 17 at the Paris Motor Show.

The seven finalists are:
- Alfa Romeo Mito
- Citroen C5
- Ford Fiesta
- Opel/Vauxhall Insignia
- Renault Megane
- Skoda Superb
- VW Mark VI Golf

2009 Renault Megane hatch

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VW Golf Mark VI official photos

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  • vw golf mark vi official photos motorauthority 007

Ford Fiesta 5-dr

Gallery
  • ford 5 dr fiesta motorauthority 001
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GM Insignia official interior reveal

Gallery
  • 2009 gm insignia interior motorauthority 001
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Alfa Romeo Mi.To official images

Gallery
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Citroen’s new C5 sedan and estate

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Skoda Superb

Gallery
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Tags: Industry, Odds and ends

Posted in: News


Comments (8 total)

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  1. By Alan #1, Posted: 6/20/2008

    BMW 7-Series? They already have it on the list even though the new one is not announced

  2. By chris #2, Posted: 6/20/2008

    Mercedes GLK, its not even out yet. but with its ugly styling it wont win.

  3. By JSR #3, Posted: 6/20/2008

    LMAO "Chrysler Grand Voyager" who is making this list!!! LMAO

  4. By NoNameDenton #4, Posted: 6/21/2008

    I hope the Ford Fiesta wins, Ford needs some good news

  5. By Wissam A S #5, Posted: 6/22/2008

    Jaguar XF is the best car for this year...sorry guys!!

  6. By NaBUru38 #6, Posted: 6/22/2008

    Merging the list of cars that may win and the list of those that deserve to win, this is my finalists list: Mito, Q5, C5, Fiesta, Kuga, Delta, Lancer, Insignia, Ibiza, Scirocco, XC60.

    Now, a real short list: Mito, Kuga, Scirocco, XC60. I'll be glad if any of these wins and arrives here too.

    There's no French car in the final list, that's bad. Citroën, be bold as always with the second-gen C3. Peugeot, it's your turn for a third double-oh. Renault, dare dare again with the Mégane. And there's no Japanese car either, but that's because the Lancer has no chances of winning - its looks are so good it'll be included in my next racing game - Autito 666.

    To end with, let me give a special award to the Lancer, i10 and the Forester, the only ones available here in Uruguay.

  7. By keleko #7, Posted: 7/30/2008

    oh the XF for sure

  8. ma_azlan avatar by azlan #8, Posted: 10/1/2008

    im with the xf winning!

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